SCHOOL bosses have promised to make changes after a damning report saw it branded inadequate.

The King John School, in Thundersley, has been rated outstanding since 2013, but serious safeguarding concerns were raised when inspectors visited at the end of February.

The latest report states the school has not maintained the “outstanding quality of education”.

The report also added that leaders have an “overinflated view of the school’s effectiveness”.

Concerns were also raised that pupils had a very limited understanding of the risks attached to county lines, drug dealing and gangs.

Dr Margaret Wilson, chief executive of the Zenith Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: “We are devastated that we have fallen short of our own high standards and have taken immediate steps to address the clear priority identified in the report regarding statutory guidance and safeguarding. A letter has gone home to parents that outlines the strategies that the trust is now putting in place with immediate effect.

“As the recently published national school performance tables show, King John School continues to be placed above national and Essex performance in GCSE English, Maths, Ebacc and A-level. We will be encouraging a further inspection within six months.”

Melanie McGauley, headteacher, added: “Like all staff and governors at our school, I am incredibly upset about the outcome of this report.

“We all care deeply about the school, its pupils and the community we serve. Whilst the report recognises many strengths, such as pupils feeling safe and well looked after, together with the quality of teaching and pupils’ outcomes, the outcome of the report is clearly unacceptable.

“We are determined to address all the concerns raised in this report to therefore ensure we provide the best possible education for all our pupils.”

Inspectors did acknowledge the quality of teaching is high, and outcomes for pupils are good, particularly at the sixth form.